Judy at the finish line of a previous challenge, the Antarctic Ice Marathon

My greatest challenge yet

This year, I'm taking total leave of my senses and going for my biggest challenge to date – the World Marathon Challenge: seven marathons on seven continents within seven days. Eek! After a freezing start in Antartica, I'll travel to South America, North America, Europe, Africa and finally, Australia, to complete my mission.

It is going to be pretty tough; the jet lag alone is a killer and only 5 women (on earth!) have completed this event to date, but I am thrilled to be doing this for Breast Cancer Now. When the very many training miles start to become a real slog, it really helps to remember why I do these challenges.

My aches and pains are nothing compared to the women with breast cancer who suffer far more than I do by just getting a bit tired, cold or wet during running. It is so inspiring to think that Breast Cancer Now’s hope that by 2050, everyone who develops breast cancer will live, is becoming ever more realistic thanks to the work of the truly zealous scientists and all of the many fundraisers. Every little helps, and it all adds up.

Why I do it

It has become my personal crusade to raise as much money as possible for Breast Cancer Now, both because it is such a deserving charity that does such important work and also to continue my mother’s fundraising for cancer charities. It was something that was very important to her, so it was horrible irony that it was cancer that led to her passing.

Sadly, this story is mirrored by thousands of women around the UK, so I’m determined to carry on and continue this work in her legacy. Everyone has their own idea of what to do for charity and for me it has to be challenge events. So far I have participated in many of the events for Breast Cancer Now, such as the London Marathon, Great North Run and Prudential RideLondon-Surrey 100, to name a few! In between these events I have chosen to push myself even harder with larger runs. To this day I have raised around £21,000.

Put the ‘fun’ in fundraising!

It can be a struggle to raise money while taking on a challenge, but I’ve found that it is very important to offer people something in exchange for their money, rather than to ask the same people every time for donations just because I am doing something – especially when I take on events quite often and it is likely to be something I would do anyway.

Tomorrow sees me set off for the challenge and fly to Antarctica for my first marathon... So, wish me luck!